Trump’s 25% tariff on Mexico is being sold as a way to boost U.S. production, but his simultaneous immigration crackdown makes that goal impossible. Farms in the U.S. rely heavily on immigrant labor, and his policies are already driving workers away. Even if U.S. demand rises due to fewer imports, farms cannot expand without enough workers to plant, harvest, and process crops. Instead of strengthening American agriculture, these policies will only result in higher food prices for consumers while leaving farmers struggling with a labor shortage they can’t solve.
Even if tariffs did encourage more domestic production, expansion takes time. Farmers would need to scale operations, secure more land, and invest in equipment—made even more expensive by rising costs of raw metals and other materials—and, most importantly, hire more workers. With Trump’s restrictive immigration policies and increased enforcement, the already scarce labor pool will shrink even further, making it impossible for farms to keep up with demand. The result isn’t a revitalized U.S. farming industry—it’s fewer available goods and rising grocery costs for Americans who are already dealing with inflation.
Meanwhile, corporations stand to benefit. Large agribusinesses have the capital to automate, absorb costs, and consolidate smaller struggling farms under their control. While independent farmers buckle under labor shortages and rising costs, major food producers can leverage their market power to maintain profits. Consumers will pay more at the checkout line while the big players in agriculture continue to thrive. This isn’t about protecting American jobs or industry—it’s about consolidating wealth at the top.
The inconsistency in Trump’s trade policies raises further questions. Why impose a 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada—our closest trading partners—but only 10% on China, the primary source of fentanyl precursors? His justification for the Mexico tariffs is supposedly to pressure them on immigration and drug trafficking, yet China has a more direct role in the fentanyl crisis. The discrepancy suggests these policies aren’t about security or American jobs at all but about political leverage and corporate interests.
This isn’t an accident. Trump’s biggest campaign donations come from major corporations and billionaires who stand to gain from market disruption. While everyday Americans struggle with rising costs, corporate agriculture, supply chain monopolies, and financial elites will profit from the instability. The narrative of tariffs helping American workers and farmers falls apart when paired with policies that ensure farms can’t actually meet increased demand. The result? A system where small farms suffer, food prices soar, and corporations walk away with even more power.
Let’s not forget Canada. They are a major exporter of lumber, which plays a crucial role in the construction industry. With Trump’s tariffs and strict immigration enforcement, construction labor will also be reduced, leading to higher building costs. Just like in agriculture, fewer workers and disrupted imports will drive up prices, making housing and infrastructure projects even more expensive for Americans.
In the end, these policies don’t protect American workers—they undermine them. Despite being elected by voters hoping for lower inflation, Trump is actively pursuing policies that will drive prices even higher. Now that he no longer needs their votes, his actions show a familiar pattern—discarding those who supported him once they’re no longer useful. Tariffs and immigration crackdowns are being framed as a strategy for economic growth, but they ultimately weaken industries that rely on labor and trade. As prices climb and corporations continue to monopolize power, it’s the average American who pays the price, all while Trump and his biggest donors reap the rewards.